IFFA 2010: the leading trade fair for the meat-processing sector on track for success
Exhibitors from all over the world to present innovations covering the entire meat processing chain
IFFA 2010, Technology meats Business: No. 1 for processing, packaging, selling, will open its doors in Frankfurt am Main from 8 to 13 May. With registrations having been received from all international market leaders, Messe Frankfurt takes an optimistic view of this event for the international meat-processing sector. “Despite the difficult economic situation, we anticipate roughly the same number of exhibitors and visitors as at the last event. This is solid evidence of the undisputed status of IFFA as the leading trade fair for the sector and also the reason the sector expects IFFA to generate significant business impulses”, says Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt. Altogether, Messe Frankfurt expects around 900 companies to present their latest products and services on more than 100,000 square metres of exhibition space to some 60,000 trade visitors from more than 100 countries.
Every three years, IFFA is the centre of innovation and technology for the sector. Numerous exhibitors use the fair to present their new products to an international audience of experts for the first time.
Speaking about the situation of the sector during the run-up to the fair, Berthold Gassmann, Chairman of the Meat Processing Machinery Department of the Federation of German Machine and Plant Manufacturers (Verband Deutscher Maschinen und Anlagenbau – VDMA) and Chairman of the IFFA Advisory Council, says, “Despite or, rather, because of the crisis in all markets of the world, people are looking forward with great interest to IFFA 2010. We firmly believe that manufacturers of machinery and plant for the meat-processing sector can afford to take an optimistic view of the future because the meat markets of the world are expanding rapidly. It seems that we have passed through the trough of the current economic depression.”
The extensive range of products and services on show at IFFA is unparalleled. Only at IFFA can trade visitors see new products for the whole of the process chain, from slaughtering and dismembering, via processing and packaging, to cooling, storing and selling. The high degree of internationality on both the exhibitor and visitor sides reflects the significance of IFFA worldwide. The exhibitors come from a total of 48 countries. In addition to traditional, important manufacturing countries, such as Italy, Spain, The Netherlands and France, more and more suppliers from the growing meat-processing markets, such as East Europe, Russia and Asia, are making presentations at the fair. The proportion of exhibitors from Germany has been stable for many years and amounts to almost 50 percent (around 440 companies).
Trade visitors from the industry, the butchers’ trade and the retail side come to Frankfurt to see the broad range of products. One of the most important groups of visitors comprises decision makers from the butchers’ trade. Manfred Rycken, President of the German Butchers’ Association (Deutscher Fleischer-Verband – DFV): “Every butcher should take advantage of IFFA, to gain important ideas their own future, e.g., from the first-class range of products to be seen in the exhibition halls, and the special shows and competitions tailored exactly to the needs of the butchers’ trade.” 48 percent of the approx. 60,000 visitors come from outside Germany. The biggest groups of foreign visitors come from the Russian Federation, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Austria and Denmark.
The extensive spectrum of products at IFFA spreads over seven exhibition halls with around 100,000 square metres of exhibition space. The products are grouped in line with their applications in the meat-processing business.
The slaughtering, dismembering and processing segments are to be found in Halls 9.0, 9.1 and 8.0. Here, exhibitors show how meat can be processed by the meat-processing industry and butchers efficiently, safely, hygienically and effectively with the aid of innovative technologies. Automation is one of the most important subjects in this connection and the spectrum of machinery and equipment on show correspondingly large. The key to the future here is robot-based dismembering lines, which are closely linked to an increasing use of IT equipment, an aspect that is particularly important to ensure traceability along the entire meat-processing chain.
Located in Halls 4.0, 4.1 and 6.0, the packaging segment is one of the fastest-growing product groups at IFFA. This growth reflects the trend among consumers to greater convenience and the demand for smaller portions. The large variety of packaged meat and sausage products is also to be seen here in the growing range of different types of packaging. Important topics in this segment include high standards of hygiene, maximum production and packaging flexibility and optimum CO2 emissionsduring the packaging production.
At IFFA, trade visitors can also find out about the latest developments in the fields of additives spices and aromas, as well as sausage casings. Many renowned manufacturers in the business of flavour enhancers and functional ingredients will be represented at the fair. Exhibitors of ingredients and additives are not only suppliers of products but also of information and knowledge. In addition to concentrating on product safety, they must also have a good nose for the latest consumer trends. The spices and additives segment can be found in Hall 4.1.
Flexible and efficient products for conveying, cooling, storing and transporting are located together with complete expertise for food safety and quality management in Hall 9.0.
Besides the range of products to be seen in the machinery halls, the Selling product segment in Hall 6.1 offers butchers an overview of the latest products and trends for butchers’ shops. The spectrum covers measuring and weighing technology, packaging and current solutions for buying foodstuffs, as well as furnishings, protective clothing, quality and service, catering and party service.
As in previous years, the competition area of the DFV and the butchers’ market place in Hall 6.1 will be magnets for visitors to IFFA 2010.
In addition to the range of products and services on show, the complementary programme gives visitors the chance to gather information and hold discussions with experts from the sector. The Meat Vision Conference on 10 and 11 May is aimed primarily at the international industry. On the first day, experts from the world’s foremost meat markets will talk about the current situation while, on the second day, the focus will be on new manufacturing processes for meat and sausage products and the legal framework. In Hall 6.1, the ‘Trends and Chances for Modern Butchers’ Shops’ will present new sales concepts and business ideas. Here, the German Butchers’ Association will hold a variety of quality competitions at which German and international butchers will demonstrate their skills.
At IFFA 2007, over 900 companies from 48 countries made presentations on an area of around 100,000 square metres. 60,000 trade visitors from 118 countries came to see the extensive range of products and services offered.
Further information, e.g., on planning a visit to the fair and purchasing tickets quickly and easily online, can be found on the internet at www.iffa.com.
Source: newsroom - meattradenewsdaily.co.uk
Source Date: 08 Feb 2010
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